Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora

Extracts of the rhizomes of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora Pennell (Scrophula riaceae) were investigated for their in vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory properties. Diethyl ether extracts showed potent inhibitory activity toward s the classical pathway of the complement system, the respiratory burst of activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and mitogen-induced proliferation o f T-lymphocytes. Furthermore, such extracts showed anti-inflammatory activi ty towards carrageenan-induced paw edema. No effects were observed in exper imentally induced arthritis in mice. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.